Studenci 3 - 1 Vrtnice (367038630)

Overcast weather free of rain made for a crowd turnout of 55500 at Random arena today. Leopoldo Biscarini was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Luigi Vacca and Marius Ţica. Studenci started off with a 2-5-3 lineup. The following players took the field: Domínguez - Keren, Vičar - Kuba, Oge, Melamed, Grinde, Valsecchi - Alberti Rovira, Richardson, Collet.

Vrtnice had chosen a strategic 4-5-1 formation. They fielded: Paşa - Patrícia, Martone, Imperi, Candia - Rutte, Danielis, MacLehose, Vedersø, Shoemaker - Findiš.

Using their counter-attacking abilities was the strategy of choice for Vrtnice. Studenci took the lead 5 minutes in, as C. Oge broke through on the left and put the 1 - 0 shot just beyond the reach of the outstretched keeper. Vrtnice tied it all up, 20 minutes in, after a spectacular goal by L. Imperi, who miraculously broke through the home side's central defence, making it 1 - 1. Studenci fans held their breath as M. Melamed scampered down the left side. He successfully avoided all challenges and cracked home the shot for 2 - 1! 39 minutes into the match, the visitors' central line of defence had to look on as N. Richardson broke through, making the score 3 - 1 for Studenci. Halftime score was 3 - 1. Studenci enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 57 percent of possession.

Studenci's D. Alberti Rovira saw his fine effort strike the top of the bar following some good work up the middle by his teammates after 53 minutes. Vrtnice's defence sent a ball soaring up the middle on a beautiful counterattack with 54 minutes gone, but A. Findiš's finish was met by the reaching hands of the keeper. Coming in on the left, M. Rutte did everything right to get a goal for Vrtnice after 61 minutes, but his finishing shot was stabbed clear by the keeper. A great save by keeper B. Paşa after 66 minutes kept the visitors in the game after D. Alberti Rovira struck from the left with a real cannonball. E. Domínguez made a brilliant save 69 minutes into the match, blocking a rocket of a shot from J. Vedersø on the right hand side. Good work by the Vrtnice defensive line after 74 minutes produced a good counterattack chance, which cut elegantly down the middle of the pitch and found M. Rutte alone in front of the goal, but his shot whistled just wide. Studenci had to manage with a reduced squad after 80 minutes, as M. Keren got sent off for a needless foul away from the game's action. Studenci claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 57 percent.

Studenci's top performer was clearly D. Alberti Rovira. K. Kuba on the other hand, had a terrible day. A. Danielis performed admirably for Vrtnice. On the other hand, Y. Candia's play was disheartening. The match ends 3 - 1.